Thanksgiving Day on Norfolk Island

Thanksgiving Day is a tradition given to the people of Norfolk Island by the visiting American Whalers in the early 19th Century. It continues to this day and as you can see from the following photographs, it is alive and well.  Held on the last Wednesday in November, Thanksgiving is enjoyed by all the churches.  We went to All Saints Church, Kingston, where  ~ with the exception of the United Church ~ each religious house on Norfolk Island took part in the Service.  It's a joyous occasion and a much loved part of our culture. Friends meet and greet and there is much laughter. The singing of the old favourite hymns such as "Come ye thankful people come, bring the joys of harvest home" and "We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land" range out loud and clear across Kingston.

Order of Service

 Parts of the congregation with Evie, Beryl Evans, Sid Cooper, Sa and David, Jim Olson and Dolly

 The font, filled to overflowing with fruit, flowers and vegetables

 Dids and Ikey standing in the aisle and giving cheek ~ you're in church boys. Behave

 A view of the alter which doesn't clearly show up the harvest decoration

  and another of the seating with Podge at the front with Rod and Noeline

  Corn decorates the pews and David Gibson is visiting from Brisbane

 Fruit lines the front communal rail and blue and white agapantha lillies decorate the alter

 Peter Randall on the organ, playing for us just as his grandmother Edie Randall did for so many years

 Chief Minister giving the lesson

 Bishop Rob Forsyth reading his sermon, and what a great joy to see him again

 

 There is then a sale of the harvest produce out in the back lawn of the church, with all proceeds going to various Christian charities.

Home to Flagstaff for lunch and those who aren't enjoying church are enjoying playing in the beautiful Pacific on this glorious day

Two boats coming home from an early morning of fishing

Two more boats and a jet ski join in 

Dids has placed vases of roses he's brought in from the farm, throughout the lounge room

White November lillies beside his Nisbet photograph. No 2/6 of a very limited and exclusive edition

 An informal table set for lunch. It may not look much kiddies but believe me, it fed the masses

 John and Chester enjoying lunch

 Dad wondering what on earth he's eating

 Mrs Parkins ~ DON'T EAT THE FORK, DON'T EAT THE FORK

More farm roses, snug in the corner

 Rozzie ~ Take that camera and......It's Thanksgiving! Mind our words

 Michael ! Go away. That's all I got from him

 Dids is trying to suggest that, that's all he ate, but really I think he's bragging that he didn't bite the plate!

 Saz in the sunlight, enjoying  her own little joke

  

 Corinna counting Tzarn's toes to make sure they're all there. The next post will tell you why he's asleep!

 Dad again. Hah. The first ciggie after lunch. Yay

 Dakota's tied to the pot plant so that she doesn't run down to the jetty to help them clean fish 

 

A gorgeous bouquet on the sideboard. Can't see them very well, but masses of purple rose blooms

 Vonnie showing her prowess with the camera

 Michael se dun

 Vonnie looking lovingly at Tzarn. Then she sat on him. Then he almost spewed. Poor darling

 Karina keeping Dakota company

 Vonnie and Dad looking charming

 Michael walking the dog...

 ...as the sun slowly sets in the west.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone